SP ropes in Natwar to take on UPA

Singh would join platform with Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav and SP general secretary Amar Singh on February 6.

The Samajwadi Party (SP) has finally succeeded in roping in former Foreign Minister Natwar Singh to take on the Congress-led UPA Government. Singh would join platform with Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav and SP general secretary Amar Singh on February 6 to target the Central Government.

Addressing mediamen in Luccknow on Saturday, Amar Singh said Natwar Singh, who had a long association with the Nehru-Gandhi family would speak on the ‘foreign policy and Iraq’ at a conference to be organised by the SP-led Ram Manohar Lohia Trust.

Ever since Natwar Singh was forced to resign from the foreign ministry on Iraq’s food-for-oil scam, the SP had been trying to rope in. However, Amar Singh evaded query whether Natwar would also join the SP.

Singh said Natwar Singh’s son and Congress MLA from Rajasthan Jagat Singh would also attend the conference that could be a launching pad for Natwar Singh in UP politics. After the exit of the Rashtriya Lok Dal (RLD) chief Chaudhury Ajit Singh from Yadav-led coalition government, the SP was desperately trying for a Jat leader to counter Ajit Singh in ‘Jatland’ of western UP. The SP feels that Natwar Singh fits the bill.

Justifying the plan to hold the conference, Singh said the UPA Government was following US diktats on the Iraq issue and had basically deviated from time-tested foreign policy of the country.

He said UPA Government’s stand on the execution of deposed Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was against the popular opinion of the country.

Singh said Natwar would dwell upon the inside story of Iraq at the conference.

The conference is aimed at keeping Saddam Hussein issue alive till the UP assembly election, as it became an emotive issue for the majority in Muslim community.

Strongly refuting his association with the BJP, Singh said the SP had defeated the saffron brigade in the last Lok Sabha election.

He even accused the Congress chief Sonia Gandhi of hobnobbing with former Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee.

Referring to fresh notification in Babri Masjid demolition case, Singh said the government would take appropriate decision in this connection.

He said the Congress’ fall started with civic election in Maharashtra.